NTT DATA, Sumitomo Corporation and JA Mitsui Leasing Establish New Company to Operate Submarine Communication Cables Connecting Japan and Asia- Total Project Cost approximately 1 billion US Dollar, Strengthening Asia’s Communication Infrastructure -

NTT DATA, Sumitomo Corporation and JA Mitsui Leasing, Ltd. have today announced the joint establishment of a new company, Intra-Asia Marine Networks Co., Ltd. (I-AM NW), to construct and operate a large-scale submarine communication cable, Intra-Asia Marine Cable (I-AM Cable), connecting Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, with additional connectivity to Korea, the Philippines and Taiwan.

Submarine cables are becoming increasingly critical for the rapidly expanding global digital and AI economy, accounting for approximately 99% of all international data transfers. The I-AM Cable, originating in Japan, will form a new communication ecosystem, supporting Asia’s growing digital infrastructure.

Positioned between Asia and the United States, Japan is a crucial data hub connecting the Asia-Pacific region with the rest of the world. By securing communication routes from three Japanese landing stations in Chiba, Mie and Fukuoka to Malaysia and Singapore, the new system will provide robust resilience against natural disasters in the region. The new cable will also reinforce Japan’s role as a data hub while contributing to regional revitalization and strengthening international competitiveness.

By using Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) functionality, the wavelength bandwidth of each route can be remotely adjusted, enabling flexible responses to evolving business needs and traffic demands. The cable will also adopt the Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) technology, accommodating up to 16 fiber pairs (32 cores) per cable. In combination, this will enable a total capacity of approximately 320 terabits per second, ensuring high-quality, highly reliable communication for major global tech companies and telecom operators.

“The launch of I-AM NW marks a significant step in strengthening Asia’s digital infrastructure,” said Yoshio Sato, CEO at I-AM NW. “This project reflects our commitment to delivering reliable, flexible connectivity solutions that empower businesses and drive digital transformation across the Asia-Pacific region.”

I-AM NW will manage the entire process from planning to sales of communication circuits for this submarine cable, providing high-quality communication services to global tech giants and telecom operators and contributing to the development of communication infrastructure across Asia.

I-AM Cable（Intra-Asia Marie Cable）Overview

Company name	Intra-Asia Marine Networks Co., Ltd.
Total Design Capacity	Approximately 320Tbps（initial design）
Total Cable Length	Approximately 8,100km
Planned Landing Points:	Japan (Chiba, Mie, Fukuoka), Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea Note: Fukuoka is planned as an international telecommunications hub in western Japan, in coordination with newly developed data center clusters.
Service Commencement	Early fiscal year 2029 (Planned)

About NTT DATA

NTT DATA is a $30+ billion business and technology services leader, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world's leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services. Our consulting and industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 70 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start-up partners. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in R&D.
Visit us at nttdata.com.

About Sumitomo Corporation

With its global network of 125 offices across 63 countries and regions and based on trust from partners in various industries as well as consumers, Sumitomo Corporation engages in multifaceted business activities by making the most of its Integrated Corporate Strength. Sumitomo Corporation is committed to creating value for society under its corporate message “Enriching lives and the world,” based on Sumitomo’s business philosophy. Sumitomo Corporation is promoting digital and AI-driven transformation across diverse business domains.

For this project, Sumitomo Corporation will participate through an intermediate entity jointly established with SMFL Mirai Partners Co., Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd.; President: Akira Ueda), leveraging both companies’ extensive networks and broad customer base to help ensure the success of this initiative.
Visit us at Sumitomo Corporation.

About JA Mitsui Leasing, Ltd.

JA Mitsui Leasing, Ltd. is a full‑service leasing and financial services company rooted in the business foundations of the JA Group and the Mitsui Group. Leveraging our own established commercial networks, we provide asset‑based, business‑driven, and financially structured solutions built on deep expertise derived from extensive knowledge and experience across diverse industries and asset classes.

In information and communications infrastructure, we have a proven track record in financing mobile base stations, optical networks, and cloud and data center platforms. In 2022, we entered the subsea cable sector through our investment in JUNO, a system connecting Japan and the U.S. West Coast, expanding our role in digital infrastructure.
Visit us at jamitsuilease.co.jp.

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